Trial slate for solving cross-word puzzles



1,595,221 w. H. BROWN TRIAL LATE'FOR SOLVING CROSS WORD PUZZLES Filed Dec. 17, 1924 gwuemlo o Patented Aug. 10, 1926 PATET WILLIAM: H. BROWN, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TRIAL SLATE FOR SOLVING CROSS-WORD PUZZLES.

Application filed December 17, 1924. Serial No. 756,599.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple appliance for speeding up the work of solving cross-word puzzles, and the invention consists of the novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my device;

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sectional views showing the newspaper in place;

Figs. 4: and 5 are detail views of modifications.

Referring to the drawing annexed, 5 designates a backing member in the form of rectangular or other shaped sheets of cardboard, wood or other material. Attached to this back sheet, preferably near one of the edges, is a pair of upstanding pins 6 which may be attached to the back member by eyeletting or otherwise. The numeral 7 designates a thin transparent sheet coextensive in area with the backing member and adapted to receive and hold pencil marks. For this transparent slate member, I preferably use colorless celluloid with a slightly roughened surface to adapt it to take the pencil lead. This material is inexpensive and, besides, is non-brittle, a characteristic which is highly desirable in order to avoid breakage.

The transparent slate member is provided with a pair of holes adapted to register with the pins, so that, when the slate is positioned on the backing member, with the pins sticking up through the holes, the slates will be held against movement in either direction except that it may be readily lifted off the pins. If desired, the pins may be of the glove-fastener type and the holes in the slate may be provided with sockets or eyelets, so that when the slate is pressed down on the pins, the eyelets will have a snap engagement therewith and thus more securely fasten the slate against accidental detachment from the backing member.

In using this appliance, the backing memher is placed underneath the newspaper sheet or other paper 8 on which the puzzle to be solved is printed, and the paper is punctured to permit the pins to come up through the paper. Then the slate or screen is positioned with the pins in the holes thereof and the screen in position to cover other the puzzle. The transparency. of the slate enables the checkered surface ofthe puzzle to be observed, and, as the words are worked out, they are written down on the slate in their proper position with respect to the checkered surface. If a bad guess is made as to any one word, it may be readily erased and another one substituted therefor; and this trial and error method is continued until all the words are solved. If the slate is displaced at any time, it may be readily brought back to proper registration, as is vident. After the puzzle is completely solved, the slate may be lifted off the pins or swung to one side, with one of the pins serving as a pivot, and the solution of the 7 puzzle may be transferred to the blank puzzle on the paper, if desired.

It will be observed that a feature of importance in my appliance is that it may readily be positioned upon the puzzle, no matter where it occurs on the newspaper or book-page. It will be observed also that .the use of my appliance will result in the production of a neatly-worked-out solution, since all the erasing is done on the slate and not on the puzzle sheet.

It will be understood that, while I have adapted this appliance for working out cross-word puzzles, the invention has other uses; for instance, it may be used as a trac- 35 ing slate for tracing off diagram pictures from newspapers, books, etc.

As stated, it is desirable that the transparent member shall be fastened at least lightly to the backing member; this can be done by means of the glove fasteners device hereinbefore referred to or the elasticity of the celluloid sheet may be relied upon,

as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the pins being provided with knob-like extremities so as to 5 spring through the holes in the slate member. Also, the arrangement of the pins may of course be modified; in Fig. 4: I show three pins, only one of them passing through the slate member and the other two being arranged to merely bear against the edges 9 of the slate member at cut-away corners. In Fig. 5 I show a two-pin device, one of the pins being arranged to engage a notch 10 in one edge of the slate member.

What I claim is An appliance of the class set forth embodying a transparent slate member and a support therefor, said support being fiat throughout its entire area to facilitate its insertion Wholly between the leaves of a publication and provided with fastening means projecting from one of its flat sides to puncture the overlying leaf and thus position said support, and said slate member being provided With means for interlockingly engaging the ends of said fastening means projecting above the leaf to which the base is attached.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM H. BROVN. 

